Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall facts for kids

The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall is a special person who represents the King or Queen in the county of Cornwall, England. Think of them as the monarch's personal representative in the area. Their main job is to uphold the dignity of the Crown. They also support local community groups and help with royal visits.

Since 1742, all the Lords Lieutenant of Cornwall have also held another important role: Custos Rotulorum of Cornwall. This fancy Latin name means "keeper of the rolls." In the past, this person was in charge of the county's records and documents, especially those related to the justices of the peace. Today, the Lord Lieutenant usually holds both titles.

Past Lords Lieutenant of Cornwall

Here is a list of the people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall over the years:

• John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford 1552–1554
• John Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Bath 1556–?
• Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford 1584 – 28 July 1585
• jointly held: 8 August 1586 – 7 December 1587
  • Sir Francis Godolphin
  • Sir William Mohun
  • Peter Edgcumbe
  • Richard Carew
• Sir Walter Raleigh 7 December 1587 – 24 March 1603
• William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke 21 May 1604 – 10 April 1630
• Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke 17 August 1630 – 1642
• John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor 1642 (Parliamentarian)
• Interregnum (a period when there was no King or Queen, so no Lord Lieutenant)
• John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath 1 October 1660 – April 1696 jointly with
  • Charles Granville, 2nd Baron Granville 6 May 1691 – March 1693
• Charles Robartes, 2nd Earl of Radnor 24 April 1696 – 1702
• John Granville, 1st Baron Granville 18 June 1702 – 1705
• Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin 16 April 1705 – 1710
• Laurence Hyde, 1st Earl of Rochester 15 April 1710 – 2 May 1711
• Henry Hyde, 2nd Earl of Rochester 25 October 1711 – September 1714
• Charles Robartes, 2nd Earl of Radnor 13 November 1714 – 3 August 1723
• vacant (no one held the position)
• Richard Edgcumbe, 1st Baron Edgcumbe 29 July 1742 – 22 November 1758
• Richard Edgcumbe, 2nd Baron Edgcumbe 5 March 1759 – 10 May 1761
• George Edgcumbe, 1st Earl of Mount Edgcumbe 22 June 1761 – 4 February 1795
• Richard Edgcumbe, 2nd Earl of Mount Edgcumbe 17 April 1795 – 26 September 1839
• Sir William Salusbury-Trelawny, 8th Baronet 30 December 1839 – 15 November 1856
• Charles Vivian, 2nd Baron Vivian 17 December 1856 – 1877
• William Edgcumbe, 4th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe 6 November 1877 – 25 September 1917
• John Charles Williams 24 January 1918 – 1936
• Sir Edward Hoblyn Warren Bolitho 17 February 1936 – 1962
• Sir John Gawen Carew Pole, 12th Baronet 29 August 1962 – 1977
• George Boscawen, 9th Viscount Falmouth 1977–1994
• Lady Mary Holborow 10 November 1994 – 19 September 2011
• Colonel Edward Bolitho 19 September 2011 – present

Deputy Lieutenants

A deputy lieutenant of Cornwall helps the Lord Lieutenant. They are chosen by the Lord Lieutenant. There can be many deputy lieutenants at one time. The number depends on how many people live in the county. They keep their role even if a new Lord Lieutenant is appointed. However, they usually retire when they turn 75 years old.